In September, I enrolled in an online course, offered by Spirituality and Practice, called The Holy Fool: Finding Spiritual Liberation in Foolishness and Humor, led by Thomas Moore.

Most of the time, my brain was stretched to the snapping point trying to understand what was being presented. Even though I spent plenty of time scratching my head and asking myself "What is he talking about?" — I somehow ended up changed. What shifted for me was that I accepted in a very profound way that making mistakes is actually part of being human — and it is a good part. Somehow working through that course altered my sense of self so that I don't cringe every time I mess up. Instead I find myself able to be more lighthearted about a mistake, saying to myself with amusement, "What do you expect, you're human?" I have been practicing for two months now, and every time I manage to respond that way, I experience a true lightness of heart and a sense of new-found freedom. Of course, I don't always manage to react with such equanimity. Sometimes I get caught in excusing or explaining or maybe even blaming. But oh, the times I step into the Holy Fool's shoes, and quickly acknowledge my mistake, and then let it go and move on … those times are sweet, indeed. Thank you, Thomas Moore!

A month ago we had our annual contemplative retreat. The theme of the retreat was deepening our senses as prayer. Our community leaders guided us in experiences that allowed us to pause and notice our senses, and how God is speaking to us through them. It also made visible some of the gifts that the Holy Spirit has been stirring within each one of us. There were so many highlights, so many opportunities for deeper awareness. Here are the activities we engaged in together and some responses to them. Thank you for your presence and active participation in this enriching contemplative retreat.

Friday NightWe started our retreat with a Centering Prayer session. At dinner, we had an opportunity to talk with new and old friends. The dining hall was filled with laughter and animated conversation. It was such a joy to see this group coming together in community.

First Session: The Sense of HearingCaren played a song "Let Go of the Shore". We listened, we reflected, we sang. The song brought us to a deeper place to consider the questions that she posed to us. "Powerful experience." "Set the tone for the silence." "Felt a 'Thin Place' like never before!"

Evening Ignatian ExerciseCarol read the story of Jesus quieting the storm. We had an opportunity to imagine all our senses engaging in the bible scene. "Senses give experiences dimensions."

Saturday Morning We started with gentle relaxing Yoga Movement led by Lynn. Exploring our breath and feeling the movement of our muscles within our body. "Appreciate starting the morning with movement as a group."

Intention for Saturday Meals: All SensesCaren invited us to fully experience our mealtime. Smell and taste the food, see the color, feel the texture, listen to the sounds, and notice any feelings – what needs to be attended to? "Eating in silence brought me more awareness and enjoyment of food."

Second Session: Sense of TouchMary brought clay to allow us to experience becoming familiar with the clay, exploring, creating, destroying it. "Surprised to be asked to destroy something we created, but reinforced the need to hold things lightly and be willing to let go of them."

With our eyes blindfolded, we were given a rose to explore and notice. It is amazing the wisdom and insight that this experience provided. "I touched the rose, then when I let the rose touch me, I received a flood of new insights about acceptance, receiving, thankfulness." "Appreciated Mary's permission to explore and pull the object apart."

Free TimeTo reflect and attend to our personal needs and relationship with God. "Loved the time for walks and reflection."

Third Session: Sense of SightCarolyn and Julie shared methods for prayer doodling, displayed examples of their drawings and provided the resources for us to explore some prayers in the form of our own doodles. Again, another insightful experience opening our senses in a deeper way to the wisdom created within us. At the end of the exercise we had an opportunity to share in small group what insights the prayer doodles provided. "Appreciated the small group time to be heard and share what was uncovered during the process of prayer doodling." "The doodling was quite revealing about life." "The sense of play with clay and doodles brings the joy and fun of play."

Free TimeTo reflect and attend to our personal needs and relationship with God. "Quality quiet time to get to know myself through God."

Fourth Session: Sense of SmellCaren had us smell an essential oil (bergamot), guided our experience, and asked us to notice what the scent brought up in our bodies and memories.

Evening Ignatian ExerciseCarol reviewed the guidance from the Examen that provided helpful guidelines for processing the day. "The Ignatian reflections make clearer the reasons for the day's events and how I responded to them."

Sunday MorningGentle Yoga and another session of Centering Prayer.

Fifth Session: Emerging from Silence with Voice, Integration & ConnectionAn opportunity to give voice to the experiences and insights revealed during the retreat through small group sharing. God reached us in a multitude of ways: though our senses, through our relationships, through our body.

Brunch "Filled with spirited laughter and a sense of deeper connection to God and each other."

Viewing of documentary about Fr. Thomas Keating: A Rising Tide of Silence"A perfect close for the retreat, with a call to a regular practice of centering prayer and the difference it makes in our world."

﻿Other Responses to the Fall Retreat﻿"This was marvelous – the central pieces were silence, the group sits. The focus on senses was profound, though I resisted the idea initially."

"The sessions were all part of opening to God's presence … letting go … listening … reflection … silence … being outside in nature."

"Overall coming into awareness, focusing on each sense helped me slow down and be present."

"Still in the glow with revelations coming my way – the experience is too deep for words."

"Different people leading the various activities added spice, and all seemed to give from the same generous and encouraging spirit."

"I felt all the presenters gave their hearts and talents. I felt the loving peace and presence of God."

"I learn from and appreciate live presenters. I like the retreat … it refreshed me."

"Thank you to all the people who put their time, effort and love into this retreat. I was blessed and enriched by it."

Readings and Passages for Contemplation from the Retreat

What I propose to do is to try listening to my lifeAs a whole for whatever many, of holiness, of God, there may be in it to hear...Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is.In the boredom and the pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: Touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis, all moments are key moments and life itself is grace. --Frederick Buechner, Sacred Journeys: Autobiographical Glimpses of God

Although I have often abandoned you, O Lord, you have never abandoned me. Your hand of love is always outstretched towards me, even when I stubbornly look the other way. And your gentle voice constantly calls me. --Theresa of Avila

O God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known and from whom no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee and magnify thy Holy Name, through Christ our Lord. Amen. --"The collect for purity," from the Book of Common Prayer

A Blessing for the Senses May your body be blessed. May you realize that your body is a faithful and beautiful friend of your soul.And may you be peaceful and joyful and recognize that your senses are sacred thresholds.May you realize that holiness is mindful, gazing, feeling, hearing and touching.May your sense gather you and bring you home.May your senses always enable you to celebrate the universe and the mystery and possibilities in your presence here.May the Eros of the Earth bless you. --John O'Donohue, Anam Cara